Boxing great Usyk defends Verhoeven title fight
In another nod to how bizarre this bout is, Verhoeven explained it was actually actor and friend Jason Statham who persuaded Saudi organisers to give him the opportunity. "When I land my best punch on him, of course he will go down," Verhoeven said. "There is a 20 kilo weight difference.
He's a built-up cruiserweight. "I'm a natural heavyweight. That's the difference.
That's what will happen when I land my best shot clean. And if not, we're going to win. " Usyk appeared no different to his usual relaxed self, but as easily as he has done in the past, he switched quickly into serious mode when the traditional face-off happened, refusing to budge an inch.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who sat on Verhoeven's side of the table for the news conference but has no ties to either fighter, was forced to step in to stop the staredown, bringing an end to an otherwise light-hearted first media event for a fight no-one in boxing saw coming. As always, Usyk took the occasion in his stride. Asked about the secret to his success, he joked: "Hard training and good pasta - double portion.
" The unified champion has previously said he plans to face the winner of Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois after Verhoeven, followed by a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury. However, he said he would step aside if Fury and Anthony Joshua - who is currently training with Usyk - were able to agree a long-discussed bout. "AJ wins.